Bipartisan group proposes $200 billion in spending cuts

Among other things, it would kill a duplicative catfish inspection program, consolidate data centers across various federal agencies, end redundant auto emissions reduction programs across the government, and help the government leverage its buying power to buy goods at a lower price.

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It also includes language helping the government find and eliminate fraud in Medicare and Medicaid, and language that seeks to reduce the costs of the hundreds of thousands of buildings the government manages.

The SAVE Act was introduced by Reps. Patrick Murphy (D-Fla.) and David Joyce (R-Ohio), both members of the United Solutions Caucus. That caucus, of which Rep. Robert Pittenger (R-N.C.) is a co-founder along with Murphy, was formed in an attempt to find bipartisan answers to the budget deficit.

Murphy and Joyce said Thursday that they hope Congress can consider a bill that they say is filled with common-sense spending reductions that both parties can support.

"Our current debt is almost $17 trillion and our current deficit is almost $1 trillion annually," Murphy said. "We must rein in our government spending, but we must do so in a strategic way — cutting programs that are wasteful, duplicative or ineffective, while streamlining ongoing programs and continuing to invest in key areas like infrastructure and education."

"By eliminating duplication and waste, this bill will save U.S. taxpayers $200 billion over 10 years," Joyce added. "When Washington tightens its belt, Ohio families have more room to breathe."